Report finds ‘clear distinctions’ in US women’s health outcomes, which can be linked to states’ abortion laws

Women’s health is in a “perilous” place with deep and growing inequalities across regions of the US, a new report from the Commonwealth Fund has found. The report ranks states based on 32 indicators, ranging from insurance coverage to breast and cervical cancer to Covid-19.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont ranked at the top across a range of health issues. South-eastern states – most of which now have near-total abortion bans – ranked at the bottom on a wide range of women’s health indicators.

“Where you live matters to your health and healthcare,” said Dr Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund. “This is having a disproportionate effect on women of color and women with low incomes.”

The goal of the report was to contribute to policies, “guaranteeing all women across the US can have access to quality affordable care – no matter where they live”.